NEWSFLASH: ENGINES WILL BE ZERO-TIMED WHEN BUYING!!

Private pilots who want better performance, may start looking into multi-engine aircraft, since these generally provide better speed, range, payload and safety than a single.

Multi-engine airplanes however require better pilot skills too, as many of them are far more complex to operate. They may also present the pilot with tricky handling caused by asymmetric thrust in case of an engine failure. Altogether, the proficiency needed to cope with a complex twin, may easily surpass the capabilities of a non-professional pilot.

But when you invest your hard-earned money into an airplane, you would prefer to start flying right away, without the need to conduct extensive transition courses and to spend much time and money on recurrency training.

Juliet Lima – D-ICJL is her full name – is one of the very few airplanes that offer the benefits of an advanced twin to the average-time private pilot. She does that because she is a Cessna T303 Crusader.

Cessna Crusaders have a reputation for being extremely well balanced airplanes. They handle engine-out situations without any sweat. Stall behaviour is absolutely innocent. The fuel management system is much simpler than that of a C310. Flaps and gear can be extended and retracted without noticeable pitch change, further reducing the pilot's workload. And these airplanes really fly beautifully!

Testimony to the Crusader's low workload and delightful handling is that many FBOs hand them to Seneca pilots after only a one-hour check flight. Yet, the Crusader is much more airplane than a Seneca.

She differs from the Seneca because she is a cabin class twin. Occupants are not restricted to their seats, but they can walk freely through the airplane. This gives the sensation of being in a much larger and more exclusive aircraft. Also, long flights become much more comfortable as your passengers can change position during flight.

The Crusader is a cabin class airplane without being pressurized. If you don't cruise really high, a pressurized cabin only offers an unwanted increase of weight and maintenance cost. In particular, when pressurized airplanes get older, pressurization systems struggle harder to hold pressure differential due to leaks, eventually resulting in lower service ceilings.

The turbocharged Continental engines easily retain power up to FL100, providing a 180 kt cruise speed. The engines are flat rated to 250 HP, so they can take any strain without much effort. They reward you for this with a 2,000 hr TBO, which saves you additional money.

In summary, a Crusader offers you an excellent combination of performance, cost efficiency and acceptable pilot workload. She provides more space and comfort than a Seneca, while she is significantly easier to fly than a C340 or a Piper Aerostar, which really require highly proficient pilots.

The Crusader is the perfect personal mini airliner for the private pilot.

Juliet Lima is an absolutely gorgeous specimen of these friendly airplanes. She has a beautiful white and dark blue paint scheme, trimmed with gold striping. Having always been well maintained and hangared, she looks really outstanding in and out.

When you take a look at the below photo sequence, we think you will agree with us!

Cruciform tail names this beautiful airplane appropriately – Crusader

Fully de-iced surfaces and heated props allow all-weather operations

Flat rated, counter rotating turbo engines provide excellent handling and 2,000 hr TBO

Superb trailing link undercarriage turns any landing into a greaser

Real airplanes have airstair doors – lockers in engine nacelles provide extra luggage space

In a cabin class airplane you're not restricted to your seat, but you can walk fore and aft

Luggage space in rear cabin holds business cases, antique collectibles, golf clubs

Audio/CD installation pleases the most demanding travelers

Flat screen provides video entertainment and impresses your passengers

To reach the pilot seats, one steps over the central console – like in a 747

A full IFR panel makes any real pilot feel right at home

Airplane is perfectly well flown single pilot – copilot has brake pedals

A fistful of throttles – note rudder & aileron trim, well accessible fuel selectors

The airplane has always been hangared and superbly maintained, regardless of cost

A truly immaculate airplane – no specks, corrosion, dents or dirt to be found

Crusader owners are proud of their planes – and you can be one of them

Juliet Lima is offered by Mr Rolf Hilchner, who runs his company AirShampoo.de in Oldenburg, Germany. Rolf and his staff can be reached via telephone at +49 441 93379 0.

You can visit Juliet Lima whenever you want! This superb plane is exhibited 7 days a week and 10 hours a day in a very exclusive atmosphere: the new 4,000 sqm "AirShampoo Aerodrome" at Ganderkesee airfield EDWQ close to Bremen in the north of Germany.

You can also make inquiries via e-mail.

Supplemental data, including a video and actual pricing information, is found here.